How to quote 3D prints fast.

1. Get the file first

A lot of requests arrive as "how much for a bracket?" with no file. Reply with a short, friendly ask for the STL, STEP or 3MF, plus the quantity and when they need it. You can't price a picture.

2. Measure it, don't eyeball it

Load it in your slicer with the settings you'd really print with. Write down the print time, the material used including supports, and the size. Check the units: if a phone case comes in at 6 mm wide, it was drawn in inches.

3. Price it from a rate card

Keep one sheet with your material cost per gram, your machine rate per hour, your labour rate and your markup. Every quote uses the same numbers, so you stop second-guessing. Our guide on how much to charge walks through the formula.

4. Send one clear quote

• One line per part, with the material, colour and quantity
• The total, with tax and shipping shown separately
• When it'll be ready, and how long the price is good for
• One obvious way to say yes

5. Follow up once

Plenty of quiet quotes are just forgotten. A short note two or three days later ("Still want these printed?") wins back jobs you'd otherwise lose.

When to stop doing it by hand

If you're slicing files at night just to answer emails, it's time to let software do steps 2 to 4. An auto quoter measures the file and prices it from your rate card the moment a customer uploads it. You can still check every quote before it goes out.